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The festive season is one of the busiest times of year for restaurants, hotels, bars and hospitality venues. From Christmas parties and work celebrations to family gatherings and New Year’s Eve events, customers are looking for great food, plenty of choice and an experience worth celebrating.
While a traditional sit-down Christmas meal will always have its place, buffets can be a fantastic option for larger celebrations. They allow guests to mingle, make their own choices and return for more throughout the event — while giving your kitchen the flexibility to cater for larger numbers.
And a festive buffet doesn’t have to be predictable.
At Trevors, we can help you create a buffet that combines familiar favourites with something a little different, with options to suit different tastes and dietary requirements.
Traditional festive favourites
Sometimes, customers want the classics — and there’s nothing wrong with that.
A traditional buffet could feature pork pies, Scotch eggs, quiche and coleslaw, alongside sausage rolls, savoury pastries, breads and dips.
These are the reliable favourites that customers recognise and enjoy, and they work particularly well as part of a larger spread. Add some festive salads, chutneys and pickles and you’ve got a buffet packed with variety.
Give your buffet an international twist
If you’re looking to offer something a little different, international-inspired buffet food can bring plenty of flavour and variety to your menu.
Think empanadas, spring rolls, falafel and salt & pepper squid, alongside dipping sauces and sharing dishes.
Mixing cuisines also gives customers the opportunity to try something new while still having plenty of familiar options available. It can be particularly effective for evening events where the food is designed to complement drinks and a party atmosphere.
Canapés for a touch of occasion
For drinks receptions, Christmas parties and New Year’s Eve celebrations, canapés can add a more premium feel to your event.
Consider mini Yorkshire puddings, ready-made New York canapés or liver pâté on crostini, alongside vegetarian and vegan options.
Pre-prepared canapés can also help hospitality teams manage busy festive services. They can provide an impressive selection without putting unnecessary pressure on a busy kitchen.
Make your dessert table a talking point
Don’t overlook the sweet selection.
A well-presented dessert table can become a real feature of a festive buffet. Offer a mixture of cakes, individual desserts and cheesecakes, giving guests the freedom to choose exactly what they fancy.
Individual desserts can work particularly well for buffet service, helping with portion control while making it easy for guests to help themselves.
And, of course, there’s always room for something indulgent at Christmas!
The cheeseboard: save the best until last
For many customers, the cheeseboard is an essential part of the festive spread.
Go beyond simply putting out a few cheeses and crackers. Create a selection with a variety of cheeses, crackers, chutneys, pickles and accompaniments.
Looking for something a little different?
Have you considered a hot cheeseboard? Breaded cheeses can bring a warm, indulgent element to your buffet and work particularly well served with dipping sauces, chutneys and crusty bread.
It’s a simple way to give a familiar festive favourite a twist.
Don’t forget the younger guests
If you’re hosting family Christmas parties or events where children are attending, make sure they have plenty of choice too.
Fresh vegetable crudités, vegan and chicken nuggets, loaded tater tots, cookie dough pucks and doughnuts can all help create a buffet that appeals to younger guests.
Offering a few child-friendly options alongside the main buffet can make your event more appealing to families — without having to create an entirely separate menu.
Catering for dietary requirements
With increasingly diverse dietary requirements, making your festive buffet inclusive is more important than ever.
The good news is that it doesn’t have to mean creating completely separate menus.
You can build gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free and nut-free options into your buffet alongside your main selection, giving customers with dietary requirements genuine choice.
Clear allergen information and good menu planning are essential, particularly when serving buffet food where customers may be helping themselves.
At Trevors, we can help you source products to suit a range of dietary requirements, with allergen and nutritional information available to help you plan your festive menus.
Planning your festive buffet?
Whether you’re running a Christmas party night, hotel function, corporate event or New Year’s Eve celebration, a buffet gives you the opportunity to offer plenty of variety while creating an experience your customers will enjoy.
From traditional pork pies and Scotch eggs to international-inspired dishes, canapés, desserts and an impressive cheeseboard, Trevors can help you bring your festive buffet together.
With thousands of products across frozen, chilled and ambient, we’re here to help you find the right products for your festive menu — whatever you’re planning.
Planning your Christmas or New Year’s Eve events? Talk to the Trevors team about your festive food requirements.
